Resort towns filling up during Coronavirus with Second HomeOwners?

[pryncess527]

I really don’t think there’s a one size fits all rule here. I understand the Outer Banks for example , they are extremely isolated and as I understand it frequently do this for hurricanes & that type of thing. Supplies are a huge issue. Their medical resources are next to none.

On the other hand I have a friend who has a mountain cabin in a remote area and if she went there there’s absolutely no way she can encounter anyone on the way. She always has to take her own food. She knows how to turn on the plumbing herself so even if the house has to be opened, no one is required to come do that for her. If she wants to go there I don’t see the problem.

in general I think everyone should have made these decisions a week or two ago (at least) and should not be changing residences now.

 

[ford family]

We were in our second home, in southern Spain, up until last week. We had been in lockdown there which meant only going out for groceries. We were able to sit on our terrace and enjoy the sunshine and the sea views. Apart from worrying about other family members in the UK we were quite comfortable.

Then the UK Government advised us to return home whilst flights were still available.
We had no way of knowing how long that existing Spanish lockdown would last nor the UK lockdown that started a few days before we returned.

So here we are. We cannot visit family, we cannot return to Spain but we are home for the duration. It may not be what we wanted but we are now stuck with it.

ford family

 

[Deploraboo]

Rhode Island government should be ashamed of itself. Truly disgusting behavior and frankly, patent violations of Constitutional Rights will not be forgotten.

 

[cats mom]

For another twist.... there are a couple of airbnb's in my neighborhood.
Pricing is in the $750 a night range this time of year, so they're generally only rented out a few nights at a time, maybe a week at most.
A family just moved into one this past weekend. They said they're fleeing CA and will be staying at least a month, possibly longer if they can. (airbnb is in AZ).
I got the impression that while this family wanted to get out of a more congested and currently more infected area, part of the reason they decided to leave CA was that they felt the stay at home order there was too aggressive. Given that, it's ironic that AZ also announced a stay at home order, and just a couple of days after they showed up.

Interesting times for sure.

 

[Colleen27]

There are no waivers available for 2nd home owners, or renters. They aren't allowed on the Outer Banks. Police are checking driver's licenses. If the address doesn't match the OBX address, they don't get in. As I said, I initially thought this policy was overreaction, but when I saw how small their hospital was, I changed my opinion.

But it isn't as though hospital capacity is reserved for the use of people from a particular geographic area. Hospitals in my county are currently getting patient transfers from the overwhelmed urban/suburban hospital systems. At the same time, the county doesn't want people from that very same metro area coming up to their vacation properties to isolate in a less densely populated area. But if the concern is overwhelming the local hospitals, I would think taking in patients that are already sick and needing very limited ICU beds and ventilators is more likely to cause that, especially with the lack of PPE and the role of under-protected healthcare workers in community spread, than asymptomatic people traveling to their beach cottages are. Keeping the "outsiders" out doesn't serve any practical ends under these conditions. It is just a knee-jerk reaction on the part of insular, us-vs-them communities that view "summer people" with resentment and suspicion.

 

[Undisneyfied]

OP here. When I started this thread, I honestly could see both sides of the equation and understand where each side was coming from. As time has gone on, however, between the news of this all over the country and this thread, I am finding myself actually agreeing a bit more with homeowners.

Should they probably have stayed home? Yup. Do they have every right to go to their own properties that they pay the same taxes on as full time residents? I am now thinking yes.

Everyone who lives in a tourist area just loves seasonal residents sharing the tax burden and spending their money in their communities by supporting the local shops and restaurants . That’s fine.

Now they are being treated like pariahs. Stopping people crossing state lines, blasting them on social media, etc.. Whatever happened to the “United” States of America?

I’ve got news for everyone....every hospital is going to be overrun whether you live in a big city or small town. I don’t fault these owners trying to keep their own families safe right now.

I know many think it’s selfish. Maybe it is, but it’s no more selfish than saying we will take your tax money and take your money in our stores and restaurants when things are going great, but stay out now that things aren’t so good.

It is becoming a mob mentality and that sickens me.

Coming to a town off-season that was not prepared for the influx is irresponsible IMO. It's not about rights. It's about responsibility.

 

[Undisneyfied]

Sorry, but if it is so dangerous that you cannot even allow property owners who don't live their year round, even with a quarantine, then letting in dozens of deliveries presents a far greater risk. No science here - just voodoo logic.

It's about limiting anything that is unnecessary.

 

[kirstenb1]

But it isn't as though hospital capacity is reserved for the use of people from a particular geographic area. Hospitals in my county are currently getting patient transfers from the overwhelmed urban/suburban hospital systems. At the same time, the county doesn't want people from that very same metro area coming up to their vacation properties to isolate in a less densely populated area. But if the concern is overwhelming the local hospitals, I would think taking in patients that are already sick and needing very limited ICU beds and ventilators is more likely to cause that, especially with the lack of PPE and the role of under-protected healthcare workers in community spread, than asymptomatic people traveling to their beach cottages are. Keeping the "outsiders" out doesn't serve any practical ends under these conditions. It is just a knee-jerk reaction on the part of insular, us-vs-them communities that view "summer people" with resentment and suspicion.

I realize you're describing something that is happening where you are, and indeed could happen here in Richmond. But I can about guarantee you that no one would go to the Outer Banks for the tiny hospital, even if they could get there.

 

[pryncess527]

I realize you're describing something that is happening where you are, and indeed could happen here in Richmond. But I can about guarantee you that no one would go to the Outer Banks for the tiny hospital, even if they could get there.

That’s why this really just isn’t a situation where the “right thing to do” is universally the same. States & local governments have to provide guidance based on what makes sense for a given area.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

It's about limiting anything that is unnecessary.

If I felt my family was in danger, it would be necessary for me to make them safe. YMMV

 

[Searc]

That’s why this really just isn’t a situation where the “right thing to do” is universally the same. States & local governments have to provide guidance based on what makes sense for a given area.

Local authorities have given a "do not come here" order, yet people are disregarding it and coming, anyway. Our state is being inundated by people from IL, to areas who are least equipped to handle the influx this time of year, not to mention the severe lack of available medical facilities. People who live in northern WI (a large summer resort area) report local resources are being wiped out by IL residents coming to their vacation properties. Door County, along with four or five other counties have told people to stay out.

https://www.wbay.com/content/news/Door-County-asking-outsiders-to-stay-home--569193781.html

 

[pryncess527]

Local authorities have given a "do not come here" order, yet people are disregarding it and coming, anyway. Our state is being inundated by people from IL, to areas who are least equipped to handle the influx this time of year, not to mention the severe lack of available medical facilities. People who live in northern WI (a large summer resort area) report local resources are being wiped out by IL residents coming to their vacation properties. Door County, along with four or five other counties have told people to stay out.

https://www.wbay.com/content/news/Door-County-asking-outsiders-to-stay-home--569193781.html

It is difficult for local authorities to get the publicity for these orders that is needed or to have the authority to get people to adhere to them. They absolutely need to be backed up by state government in every case. Mayors can’t mobilize state highway patrol on their own.
I mean just look what happened on the beaches of Florida for spring break, those poor local mayors tried to close the beaches but they couldn’t do anything. An order from the governor might’ve had a much different impact In terms of the enforcement capabilities, peoples decision making, and parents who pull the purse strings decision making

 

[Searc]

It is difficult for local authorities to get the publicity for these orders that is needed or to have the authority to get people to adhere to them. They absolutely need to be backed up by state government in every case. Mayors can’t mobilize state highway patrol on their own.
I mean just look what happened on the beaches of Florida for spring break, those poor local mayors tried to close the beaches but they couldn’t do anything. An order from the governor might’ve had a much different impact In terms of the enforcement capabilities, peoples decision making, and parents who pull the purse strings decision making

Our entire state (as well as adjoining IL) is under a Safer at Home/Stay at Home order from each respective governor. Idiots don't care.

 

[pryncess527]

Our entire state (as well as adjoining IL) is under a Safer at Home/Stay at Home order from each respective governor. Idiots don't care.

If the governor were using highway patrol to block the road like they are in the Outer Banks, I’m not sure the idiots would have a choice. Maybe that’s less possible in your area. Or maybe the governor doesn’t see the seriousness

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Our entire state (as well as adjoining IL) is under a Safer at Home/Stay at Home order from each respective governor. Idiots don't care.

I agree that if you waited until after an order to stay at home has been issued for your locale, you need to stay at home. But many of these "outsiders" left before these orders were issued.

Some states and local communities have been taking this seriously for a long time. Others have not. This is what happens when you have mixed messages out there.

 

[Searc]

If the governor were using highway patrol to block the road like they are in the Outer Banks, I’m not sure the idiots would have a choice. Maybe that’s less possible in your area. Or maybe the governor doesn’t see the seriousness

No, it isn't possible.

 

[Searc]

I agree that if you waited until after an order to stay at home has been issued for your locale, you need to stay at home. But many of these "outsiders" left before these orders were issued.

Some states and local communities have been taking this seriously for a long time. Others have not. This is what happens when you have mixed messages out there.

Many of them have shown up in the last few days, well after the order to stay home was given.

 

[Searc]

If the governor were using highway patrol to block the road like they are in the Outer Banks, I’m not sure the idiots would have a choice. Maybe that’s less possible in your area. Or maybe the governor doesn’t see the seriousness

You can't compare islands with very limited ways on and off to a broad state border that is hundreds of miles long.

 

[skyblue17]

At least here, medical staff is coming to NYC from upstate hospitals to help with the extent of cases in the city. So those that leave NYC to go upstate are now going to hospitals that might also be somewhat understaffed.

 

[3 MEN AND A BOAT]

If the governor were using highway patrol to block the road like they are in the Outer Banks, I’m not sure the idiots would have a choice. Maybe that’s less possible in your area. Or maybe the governor doesn’t see the seriousness

And we can simply read up thread of posters saying “let’s remember these vacation spots and never go back” or “they have a right to their vacation home” so how exactly would these highway patrol handle this. I live in coastal Al and the amount of Louisiana car tags that showed up just days after their state issued a stay at home order is staggering. They don’t want to live under their states stay at home order so they left and came here, They won’t self quarantine I can guarantee it.